FORD/ERDA SODIUM--SULFUR BATTERY DEVELOPMENT, PHASE I. FINAL REPORT, JUNE 15, 1975--MARCH 31, 1976

The pre-pilot facility for the batch production of beta ''-alumina tubing was designed and remodeled. Critical items of capital equipment were specified and placed on order. Work began on the construction of the pre-pilot spray dryer and the batch and continuous sintering furnaces. Two cells incorporating high-power-density electrode design and stainless steel containers for sodium and sulfur were designed, constructed, and tested. The first cell delivered an average of 286 W/kg during one discharge cycle at 750 mA/cm exp 2 . The energy density was 44 Wh/kg at this high current density, whereas at 50 mA/cm exp 2 over 80 Wh/kg could be reached. The cell became non-faradaic after 45 days because of ceramic failure. The second cell was put on test only recently. A cell with separate compartments for charging and discharging and with electrodes optimized for either task was tested successfully. Efforts to develop corrosion-resistant sulfur container materials were initiated. Static sodium tetrasulfide corrosion tests were conducted for 30 to 60 days at 400 exp 0 C on substrates of pure chromium and iron, nickel, cobalt, aluminum, titanium, niobium, tantalum, zirconium, and molybdenum base alloys. These substrates were tested with and without various surface treatments and protective coatings. The results showed that aluminum, molybdenum, ferritic stainless steels and Inconels show varying degrees of promise. The first cell tested under this program was thoroughly examined after failure. The coating of graphite-filled polyphenylene resin applied to the AISI 446 stainless steel container had not stood up satisfactorily, perhaps owing to overheating. There were no signs of degradation of any of the seals. 21 figures. (ERA citation 01:019404)

• Corporate Authors:

  Ford Motor Company

  23400 Michigan Avenue
  Dearborn, MI  United States  48124

  Energy Research and Development Administration

  20 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Weiner, S A
• Publication Date: 1976-7

Media Info

• Pagination: 37 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobiles; Containers; Corrosion resistance; Design; Electric batteries; Electric vehicles; Electrodes; Electrolytes; Failure; High temperature; Materials; Performance; Production; Seals (Devices); Sodium; Sodium inorganic compounds; Sodium sulfur batteries; Sulfides; Sulfur; Testing
• Old TRIS Terms: Cells; Sodium sulfides
• Subject Areas: Design; Energy; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00146995
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Contract Numbers: E(11-1)-2566
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 16 1977 12:00AM